In a season brimming with sky-high expectations and blockbuster contracts, MLB executives have pinpointed an unexpected name as 2025’s biggest letdown—and it’s not the New York Mets’
765 million megastar Juan Soto. Despite Soto’s slow start, a recent poll of 20 league executives revealed San Francisco Giants shortstop Willy Adames as the most underwhelming performer so far. The Dominican in fielder, who inked a 182 million deal with the Giants this offseason, has stumbled out of the gate, leaving analysts questioning his fit in San Francisco’s otherwise surging lineup.
Why Willy Adames topped the disappointment list
While Juan Soto’s .258 average and .820 OPS with the Mets haven’t yet justified his record-breaking contract, executives reserved their harshest critique for Adames. The Giants’ shortstop is batting a meager .215 with just two homers, 14 RBIs, and a .602 OPS—numbers starkly at odds with his status as the second-highest-paid position player of the offseason. “The Giants’ early struggles [as a team] made Adames’ underperformance more glaring,” noted one American League executive.
Giants thrive despite Adames’ slump
Ironically, San Francisco sits atop the NL West at 21-13, locked in a tight race with the Dodgers and Padres. Their success withoutWilly Adames’ contributions has only magnified his struggles. Meanwhile, Juan Soto’s Mets lead the NL East at 22-11, proving that team success doesn’t always hinge on marquee signings.
Contract concerns loom large
Adames’ seven-year deal, meant to anchor the Giants’ infield, is already raising eyebrows. “The Giants must be worried about how this signing will age,” warned a National League executive. His defensive lapses and lack of clutch hitting contrast sharply with his reputation as a clubhouse leader during his Brewers tenure.
Juan Soto’s silver linings
Soto, while not meeting Ruthian expectations, has shown flashes of his elite form. His .820 OPS and 14 RBIs suggest gradual improvement, and his plate discipline (MLB-leading 28 walks) keeps pitchers wary. For Mets fans, patience may yet pay off.
The disappointment pool
Behind Willy Adames, Joc Pederson (batting .198 with Arizona) and Rangers’ Marcus Semien (.221, one HR) rounded out the top three. Others receiving votes included underperforming pitchers and slumping rookies, but none drew the collective shrug reserved for Adames.
Adames’ struggles highlight the volatility of big-money deals in modern MLB. While the Giants’ overall resilience is commendable, his contract could hamper future flexibility if his slump persists. For Juan Soto, the pressure remains, but time is on his side.
As the season unfolds, all eyes will be on whether Willy Adames can rediscover his swing—and whether the Giants’ gamble on him turns from cautionary tale to comeback story.